- We all make use of a translation of the Bible at one time or another. This seems obvious, but we find it easy to forget. When you hold a copy of the Bible in English in your hands, you need to give thanks to God's providence, and to the many men and women who have given of their time and resources, and very often their lives, so that you can have a Bible to read in your own language.
- Many people work in fear of the problems in their Bible translations. They wonder if they can have confidence in the message they read there because of copying and translation problems. People need to know that while no translation is perfect, most of our modern translations are excellent and reliable. The differences between them are generally of the type that honest, intelligent people can disagree on.
- As we become more aware of our Bible translations, and the price that has been paid so that we have them, I hope we will be more aware of the several thousand language groups that do not have any portion of the Bible in their native language. As you appreciate your ability to read the Bible in your own language, consider supporting someone who is working to translate the Bible for others.
In addition, if we do study Bible translations and get to understand why they are produced in the way that they are and what the differences are, we can more easily choose a specific Bible translation for a particular use.
Is your church interested in reaching the unchurched? You might consider getting Contemporary English Version or New Century Version pew Bibles. Why? Because these Bibles are translated into a simple form of English without the use of numerous theological terms. They help seekers and new believers become acquainted with the Bible.
Do you want to do a serious doctrinal study with reference to some of the fine Greek and Hebrew study aids prepared for those who do not read the original languages? Try the NRSV or NIV along with one of the excellent concordances designed to work with them.
We have richer resources available in America than at any time in history, and yet the church is continuing to fall behind in Biblical knowledge. When I recently visited the Ukraine, I was photographing a Hungarian Reformed Church. In the yard was a monument listing quite a number of names. I found myself wanting to weep and I didn't know why. I asked later what the monument was for. The pastor said, "That monument is to the martyrs who have died for their faith in this congregation."
Do we have an excuse not to make use of the blessings God has provided?
My book on translations is now complete, What's in a Version?
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